Patient Self-Determination Act

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) is a U.S. law that empowers patients to make informed decisions about their medical care. It ensures that healthcare providers inform patients about their rights to accept or refuse treatments and to create advance directives, such as living wills or durable powers of attorney. These documents express a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in case they cannot communicate due to illness or incapacity. The PSDA promotes patient autonomy and encourages individuals to reflect on their healthcare preferences before facing critical medical situations.